I was going to try to write about the whole day of the Meltdown.  It’s pretty much impossible, especially since I spent much of the day running around maniacally.  So a few thoughts, and then some links:

• Our best estimate is that at least 3,500 people came through.  Even though it got a little cozy at times, everyone was super friendly, happy, and fun!
• Everyone seemed to like the addition of the third performance area (the Chill Room).  Storytelling, puppets, cartooning, singing — what’s not to love?
• Hula hooping rocks.
• Trombones are awesome.  If you’re thinking about putting a sax solo in a song, replace it with a trombone solo.  It’ll probably be better.
• Sponsors: You rule.  Yankee Candle, Comcast, WEBS – America’s Yarn Store, Hampshire Gymnastics, River Valley Market — they, and the vendors (who also rule!) are how the event was free.  Thank you.
• Jarrett Krosoczka is amazing.  He put together an insane lineup of authors and illustrators.
• Our performers: crazy good.  Thanks to, in order of appearance: Dog on Fleas, Rona Leventhal, Maria Sangiolo, Royal Order of Chords and Keys, Alastair Moock, Tom Knight & Amy Dawn Kotel, Mister G, Mariana Iranzi, Jay Mankita, Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem, Ratboy Jr., Keith Munslow, Uncle Rock & the Playthings, Marcy Gregoire, Flannery Brothers, Laura Daisybee, and the Deedle Deedle Dees (who, as usual, destroyed) (in a good way).  I stand by my assertion that there will not be a better lineup of family music anywhere this year.

Some links:

• Great photos from the day are over at WRSI.com.  Or, maybe easier, at WRSI’s Facebook page.
• I’ve posted my photos on this (public) Facebook album.
• Dadnabbit came to the event and posted a nice overview.
• Out With The Kids came and has a whole series of posts.

And I’ve put all of the videos I am aware of from the event into one playlist; watch it here (or go to it here):

If you know of any videos or photos I don’t have up here, let me know!

Finally: Thanks to everyone who came, laughed, danced, ate, drank, bounced, hula hooped, shopped, made a weird wax thing with your hand, or just walked around, mouth agape.  I hope you had a ton of fun, and we’ll see you next year!  (And before then!)

Listen any time you like at WRSI.com!  And see you Sunday at 2 for Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, with Mister G opening, at the Iron Horse!

Thanks to Clementown for the terrific guest DJ set.

Segment 1
TMBG – It’s Spare the Rock
-Ella ID
TMBG – The Vowel Family
Heidi Swedberg & the Sukey Jump Band – Pop Goes the Weasel (Play!)
Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion – Go Waggaloo (Go Waggaloo)
ID
Gourds – Fossil Contender
Monty Harper – Roundy Round (Take Me to Your Library)
ID

Segment 2
Johnny Bregar – Dragonfly
Little Miss Ann – Mockingbird
ID/prep to rock
Hold Steady – Take Me Out to the Ballgame
ScribbleMonster – The World’s Greatest (Chocolate Milk)
Roy Handy & the Moonshot – Socks Are Overrated!!! ((I’m Gonna Be) Your Best Friend)
Quiet Two – Invisible Trousers (Make Some Noise)
ID/book time with Ella (Cornelia Funke – The Thief Lord)

Segment 3
Ralph & Ralph – Opposites
Dean Jones – Hail! Hail! The Gang’s All Here!
Mates of State – Jellyman Kelly
ID
John & Mark – People Have Good Reasons
Keith Munslow – Are You Gonna Eat That? (Homemade Fun)
Recess Monkey – Sack Lunch (Field Trip)
ID

Segments 4 & 5
Clementown guest DJ set:
Twilight Zone Theme
Bellville Rendez-vous – M&S
Yes, We Have No Bananas – Baily’s Lucky 7
Little Bed – Clementown
Big in Japan – Tom Waits
Little Old Money Maker – Meters
Radio One Radio Jingle – Jimi Hendrix
Fixing a Hole – Beatles
Fun Services – Phone Phreaks
Flea Keepers – Clementown
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious – Julie Andrews et al
Fistful of Dollars – Morricone
Shining Star – Earth Win & Fire
Runaway Waffle – Clementown
Man from UNCLE theme

Segment 6
Secret Agent 23 Skidoo – Luck
Run DMC – Reading Rainbow
Deee-Lite – Groove is in the Heart
Baby Loves Jazz – Duck Jam
ID
TMBG – Meet the Elements

This week, Ella talked about Cornelia Funke’s The Thief Lord.  Click on the cover to find an independent bookseller to buy it from!

This week, Ella talked about local hero Jarrett Krosoczka’s Lunch Lady book.  Click on the cover to find it for sale from an independent bookseller!

Listen on-demand at WRSI.com!

And thanks to the Nields for a great in-studio!  They’re playing at First Churches in downtown Northampton this morning at 10:30.

Segment 1
TMBG – It’s Spare the Rock
-Ella ID
TMBG – I Am Not Your Broom
John Lennon & Yoko – Cleanup Time
Innocence Mission – Wonder of Birds
ID
Joe’s Backyard Band – Dishes
Steve Weeks – Up!
ID

Segment 2
Elizabeth Mitchell – Rollin ‘Baby (Meltdown 2010)
The Good Miss Padgett – So So Good (s/t)
Sarah Lee & Johnny – Take Me to Show and Tell (Go Waggaloo)
ID/prep to rock
Earnie & Neal – Pink Piggie Polka Pancake Picnic (Friends, Family & Pizza)
Soul Coughing – Super Bon Bon (Irresistible Bliss)
Deedle Deedle Dees – Growl Growl (American History + Rock and Roll = Deedle Deedle Dees)
ID

Segment 3
Justin Roberts – Meltdown (Meltdown)
Tim and the Space Cadets – New Game
Flaming Lips – It’s Summertime
ID
Recess Monkey – Trading Squirrels (Aminal House)
Joe McDermott – Everybody Plays Air Guitar (Everybody Plays Air Guitar)
ID

Segment 4
ScribbleMonster – Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child
ID
Charity & the JAMband – Beach
Renee & Jeremy – It Makes You Feel Good
The Clash – Revolution Rock
ID

Segment 5
Nields In-Studio
– Goin’ to Boston
– Organic Farm
– Who Are You Not To Shine?

Segment 6
ID
Bottle Rockets – Coffee Monkey
Ralph’s World – The Coffee Song
Superchunk – Hyper Enough
Boooker T – Hey Ya
ID/book time with Ella (Lunch Lady & the Cyborg Substitute)
TMBG – Four of Two (No!)
TMBG – Spare the Rock

Whoa, that sneaked up on me.  Secret Agent 23 Skidoo will bring his ridiculously great hip hop for the whole family to the Iron Horse on Sunday, April 11.  Details at our Facebook event page; you can buy advance tickets — including the family four-pack for only $30, advance only! — at IHEG.com.

I’ll be doing a big ol’ wrap-up post about the Meltdown soon, but the lineup for the Green River Festival, taking place on Saturday and Sunday, July 17 and 18, was announced on the station today.  As I’ve alluded to before, the festival is adding a family stage this year, for the first time ever, and we’re producing it.

The area will be called the River’s Meltdown Camp, and, like the Meltdown, it’s more than just music.  I’ve still got at least a couple of acts to finalize, but here’s where we stand right now:

Music from:

• Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion
• The Nields
• Deedle Deedle Dees
• Mister G
• Starfish
• Ratboy Jr.
• Marcy Gregoire & the Under the Tree Music Company
• Flannery Brothers
• Alexandra & the Good Batch
• School for the Dead
• Royal Order of Chords and Keys

Plus, on Saturday night after dusk, we’ll have the Meltdown Stay Up Late Sessions, featuring bands made up of local kids and teens, including bands from June Millington’s IMA’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Programs for Girls and Young Women.

In addition to the music, we’ll have great activities from local craftspeople, puppet making by Under the Tree Arts and a puppet parade, songwriting workshops, and more!

The main and dance stages have a crazy good lineup too, including:

• Cake
• Allen Toussaint
• Calexico
• Fancy Trash
• Old Crow Medicine Show
• David Wax Museum
• Unit 7
• Rusty Belle
• Sweetback Sisters
• Joy Kills Sorrow
• Anais Mitchell
• Low Anthem
• Lake Street Drive
• Felice Brothers
• And so many more.

The cheapest place to get tickets is WRSI.com, for a limited time.